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AMERICA'S CUP TERRY HUTCHINSON SEEKS THE 2007 MELGES 24 NORTHEAST DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP AT EASTPORT YACHT CLUB; IMPORTANT COMPETITOR INFO

17 OCTOBER 2007 - Annapolis, Md.; Eastport Yacht Club - Successful America's Cup tactician Terry Hutchinson has joined a distinguished roster of Melges 24 sailors who have entered the 2007 Melges 24 Northeast District Championship (NEDC) hosted by the Eastport Yacht Club, October 19-21.

Hutchinson, who had a successful year at the America's Cup in Valencia aboard Emirates Team New Zealand has saddled up with Scott Nixon on Quantum Racing.

Nineteen teams have confirmed their entries and as many as 25 are to be expected at this premiere event. Registration officially closes on Thursday, 18 October. It is the grande finale to the 2007 U.S. Melges 24 Class Association (USMCA) Northeast District (NED) Ranking and will be a mere sample of what is yet to come in 2008 at the North American Championship and the 2009 Worlds.

Besides Hutchinson's appearance, is two-time Melges 24 U.S. National Champion owner and another local Annapolis sailor Neil Sullivan on M-Fatic; 2007 Melges 24 Corinthian World Champion Othmar Mueller Von Blumencron on Gannet with 2004 Melges 24 World Champion crew member Thomas Allin; Alan Field from Los Angeles, California with Eric Shampain and Steve Hunt aboard WTF and current Northeast District Ranking points leader Simon Strauss from New York, New York on Gill.

The 2007 Melges 24 Northeast District Championship is proudly sponsored by ANNAPOLIS PERFORMANCE SAILING, GALE FORCE SAILING, INIKI.COM, NORTH SAILS, and NOAA. QUANTUM SAILS is the official sponsor of the 2007 Melges 24 NEDC Corinthian Competition.

Preparation is everything and below is a short, yet very detailed list of items that need to be carefully reviewed by all competitors prior to racing.

REGISTER TO COMPETE For competitors who have yet to confirm, visit the OFFICIAL EVENT WEB SITE. REGISTER ONLINE, VIEW THE ENTRY LIST, DOWNLOAD AN NOTICE OF RACE (NOR) plus much, much more such as lodging and accommodations options, etc are now available.

WEIGH IN Weigh in for the Melges 24 Class is being held at Eastport Yacht Club downstairs, on Friday, 19 October at 8:00 until 11:00, then reopens at 14:00 until 18:30. Additional weigh in will be conducted on Saturday from 8:00 until 9:00.

REGISTRATION All teams are required to report to the registration desk on either Friday, 19 October from 16:30 until 18:30, or on Saturday, 20 October from 8:00 until 9:00 to pick up skipper packets and bow numbers. There will be a skippers meeting at 18:00 on Friday.

CORINTHIAN COMPETITION Early Corinthian entries are welcome. DOWNLOAD A CORINTHIAN DECLARATION FORM (PDF). Forms can be faxed to (912) 756-6728. Please remember that in order to be considered, not only does the helm need to be classified by ISAF, the entire crew also needs to have gone online and registered. If you have any questions in regards to your eligibility please contact USMCA Communications Director, Joy Dunigan on EMAIL.

CLASS MEMBERSHIP The 2007 Northeast District Championship is a North American Ranking/International Melges 24 Class event. The following is in effect:

- All boats competing at the NEDC must have a current 2007 Melges 24 Ownership level membership.
- All individuals chartering Melges 24s for the NEDC must maintain a 2007 Melges 24 Charter level membership in addition to the Owner's membership.
- All drivers who are not owners must maintain a 2007 Melges 24 Driver level membership.

All memberships must be current prior to competition. If your membership is not up-to-date (whichever of the above applies), please visit http://www.usmelges24.com/membership/membership.asp to pay by credit card via PayPal. Credit cards are not accepted onsite at the NEDC. Check, money order and/or cash are acceptable forms of payment and can be submitted at the time of weigh in.

If you have additional questions, please contact Travis Weisleder, USMCA Vice President/Treasurer on email at or Joy Dunigan, USMCA Class Communciations Director.

MEASUREMENT CERTIFICATES
Measurement certificates are not required for competition at the NEDC, however Joy Dunigan, Communications Director and Press Officer for the USMCA will be onsite during weigh n and will be able to help you with any questions you may have in regards to obtaining a valid measurement certificate. If you have copies of measurement forms that need to be transfered, feel free to bring those to the event so that the process of transfer can be started.

Additional inquiries can be sent in advance to tech@usmelges24.com.

To find out more about the 2007 Melges 24 Northeast District Championship, visit OFFICIAL EVENT WEB SITE.

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The Melges 24 is designed by REICHEL PUGH and considered the most unique one design sportboat in the world as well as one of the fastest-growing classes of high performance yachts. Visit the OFFICIAL WEB SITE OF THE U.S. MELGES 24 CLASS ASSOCIATION (USMCA), and the INTERNATIONAL MELGES 24 CLASS ASSOCIATION (IMCA) for additional information.

If you would like to receive press releases and/or photos for this event please contact JOY DUNIGAN, 2007 MELGES 24 NORTHEAST DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP EVENT PRESS OFFICER/ USMCA PRESS OFFICER via email or on mobile at (912) 398-5776.